Sensitive as an Eyeball

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Sometimes when we hear of disasters in the world or are faced with our own crises closer to home, a feeling of being overwhelmed can paralyze our ability to act.  When tears and fears become our primary reactions, yoga can help.

My dear Teacher Swami Swaroopananda has described it this way:

He says, "The yogi is as sensitive as an eyeball."

Meaning, when you take a piece of cotton and rub it on your arm it feels pleasant.  On your cheek it is also pleasant.  Rub that same piece of cotton on your eyeball and it is irritating at best, likely even painful.

Many practicing yogis and yoginis will relate to this description.  You may find yourself so acutely sensitive to suffering that at times it becomes debilitating. 

If you're feeling too small to make a difference today, your yoga practice itself may offer some encouragement.

Here are a few suggestions:

Watch this video by Pema Chodron called Loving Oneself and Others:

Read this 3HO Tantric Numerology Forecast for May 2015

Chant these mantras by Deva Premal and Miten or listen to the Hanuman Chalisa.

Finally, in life and in your asana practice, focus on what you can do rather than what you can't.

As it says in the Bhagavad Gita, Chapter 2, Verse 40:

"Nothing is wasted on this yoga path.  Even the slightest effort saves one from the greatest turmoil."

Prayers for Nepal and Tibet

I continue to offer my loving prayers to all of the monks, nuns, residents, visitors and pilgrims in Nepal and Tibet, and their loved ones abroad shaken and un-grounded by the massive earthquake in April.

May they have faith, courage, and comfort in their suffering.

May all those who have left their bodies navigate bravely through the bardo and attain noble rebirths.

There seems to be a lot of confusion about how best to help financially, but you can certainly send positive prayers and energy right now with the meditation known as "Taking and Giving" or Tonglen.

If you're not familiar with the Tonglen meditation, please join Pema Chodron in this short video filmed in 2009 at the Omega Institute in New York.